The Israeli military said it has expanded ground operations beyond the designated security zone in parts of southern Lebanon in recent days, as Tel Aviv intensifies its campaign against Hezbollah following a surge in explosive drone attacks targeting troops and northern Israeli communities.

According to the Israeli military, troops have carried out intelligence-based raids both beyond the forward defensive line and north of the Litani River, focusing on areas where Hezbollah is believed to maintain operational infrastructure and footholds.

Hebrew media reports said the expanded operations are aimed at pushing Hezbollah operatives farther away from the border in an effort to reduce the threat posed by explosive drones launched toward northern Israel and Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon.

The military believes increasing the distance between Hezbollah fighters and the border area could help improve security for residents of northern Israeli communities.

The operations have coincided with intensified Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday. The military said it struck more than 100 Hezbollah targets overnight, including rocket launch sites, command infrastructure and other facilities linked to the group.

The Israeli military also said several Hezbollah operatives were killed during the operations and released footage showing strikes on what it described as Hezbollah positions across Lebanon.

As the campaign escalated, the military issued evacuation warnings for 13 towns and villages in southern Lebanon ahead of additional airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.

Residents of Sidon, Burj Qalawiya, Jibsheet, Al-Qusaibah, Frun, Aabra, Deir Kifa, Kfarsir, Srifa, Ghandouriyeh, Qaaqaait al-Jisr and Adshit al-Shaqif were instructed to evacuate north of the Zahrani River.

The warning came after an earlier evacuation notice issued for the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh.

“In light of the Hezbollah terror organization’s violations of the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli military is forced to act against it with force and does not intend to harm you,” Israeli army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee said in the warning message directed at civilians.

The latest escalation follows several recent Hezbollah drone attacks targeting northern Israel and Israeli troops stationed in southern Lebanon since the April 16 ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Israel’s largest defense contractor, Elbit Systems, said it is developing new technology aimed at countering explosive drones used by Hezbollah, including possible laser-based defense systems.

In an interview with Reuters, Elbit Systems CEO Bezhalel Machlis said the company is working closely with Israel’s Defense Ministry to develop rapid solutions to the drone threat.

He said one possible option involves “energy weapon solutions,” noting that the company is heavily involved in developing laser technologies.

“There are other means that are also relevant to this threat. We are heavily involved in developing a solution to this challenge,” Machlis said after the company reported strong first-quarter revenue and profit growth.

Hezbollah has increasingly relied on inexpensive, easily assembled kamikaze drones, including first-person-view drones controlled through fiber-optic cables, which Israeli forces have struggled to intercept using traditional air defense systems.

Israel has at times resorted to low-tech countermeasures such as nets to prevent drones from striking troops.